rieckert



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. A. J. RIEGKERT.

KNOGKDOWN SHELVING.

No. 453,504. Patented June 2, 1891.

dj yt/ LOW/@- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN A. J. RIECKERT, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

KNOCKDOWN SHELVING.

SFECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 453,504, dated June 2, 1891. Application filed December 24:, 1890. Serial No. 375,704- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMAN A. J. RrEoK- ERT, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Furniture, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide certain new and useful improvements in knockdown furniture adapted to be folded for storing or transportation, and readily and quickly set up for use, as show-cases, wardrobes, tables, counters, 8:0.

The invention consists of posts, each made in two'parts hinged together lengthwise, two adjacent parts of the side and end posts being rigidly connected with each other.

The invention also consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be hereinafter described, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to'the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement arranged as a counter or exhibition-table. Fig. 2 isa like view of the improvement arranged as a show case or stand. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line a; a; of Fig. 2. Fig. 4. is a sectional plan view of the frame folded up. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the shelf. Fig. 6 is a like view of the same as folded up. Fig.7 is a sectional plan view of a frame of modified form. Fig. 8 is a like view of the same folded up. Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view of a frame of another modified form, and Fig. 10 is a like view of the same folded up.

Theimproved knockdownfurnitureconsists principally of the frame A and one or more covers or shelves B fitted on the said frame.

7 The frame A is provided with four cornerposts 0, 0', C and 0 each made in two parts D and D, hinged together lengthwise by suitable hinges E, as is plainly indicated in the drawings. The two oppositely-arranged parts of the opposite posts are rigidly connected with each other by horizontal bars F, of which there may be any desired number, and, if de= sired, a vertical bar G may be employed to connect the longitudinal bars F of the side or end with each other. (See Figs. 1 and The bars F support the shelves B, which may be made in one single piece, as illustrated in Fig.1, in case it is used on top of the posts, as shown. The intermediate shelves, however, are made in several parts B, fitted between the posts and resting on the bars F, previously mentioned and shown in the drawings. If desired, the several parts of a shelf can be connected with each other by suitable hinges H, (see Figs. 5 and 6,) so as to fold the parts one on top of the other in case the furniture is stored away or transported from one place to another.

For fitting the shelves upon the posts they are formed with suitable corner-notches B engaging the corresponding inner edges of the parts I) and D of the respective posts.

Notches B are also provided in the said shelves to fit upon the sides and rear of the vertical bars G. In case the cover is made of a single plate or board, as shown in Fig. 1, then one of the parts D or D of each post is formed with a dowel D passing into a corresponding aperture l3 formed in the said cover plate or board. The hinged parts of each post may be made any desired shape in crosssection, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 7, S, 9, and 10.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each post part D or D is made square in crosssection, the hinges E being applied at adjacent corners to permit of folding the frame, as shown in Fig. i As illustrated in Figs. 7 and S, the parts D and D of each post have beveled ad jacent sides, and in this case the hinges of one set of diametrically-opposite posts are arranged on the inside of the parts, while at the other set of diametricallyppposite posts the hinges must be applied to the outside, as is plainly indicated in Fig. 7, so that the sides and ends of the frame fold conveniently, as shown in Fig. 8. A similar arrangement of hinges is made in case the cross-section of a post is to be cylindrical, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

hen the furniture is set up, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the shelves B are supported on the horizontal bars F, and, if desired, the top shelf, as shown in Fig. 1, is supported on the dowel D of the several posts. In this position the furniture can be used for exhibi tion purposes in stores, hotels, 850., or for book-cases, and, if desired, glass doors and windows may be put in the sides and ends of the frame. In case it is desired to make a 5 wardrobe out of the furniture only the top and bottom shelves are used, while the intermediate shelves are taken out and hooks or other devices are secured to the under side of the top shelf for suspending clothes, dresses, &c.

As shown in Fig. 2, some of the shelves are supported by bars F arranged between the sevv eral posts, while other shelves are supported only from bars F in the ends of the frame. In case windows and doors are applied on the frame they are fastened to the opposite post parts in the sides or ends of the frame.

It will be seen that knockdown furniture constructed in this manner can be very cheaply manufactured, readily set up when- I ever desired, and-conveniently knock-ed down for transportation or storing purposes.

Having thus f ullydescribed my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent I 1. In knockdown furniture, vided with posts, each made in two parts hinged together lengthwise, two adjacent parts of the side and end posts being rigidly Y connected to each other, substantially as shown and described.

2. In knockdown furniture, a frame con1- prising a series of posts, each made in two? parts hinged together lengthwise, and longi- E a frame protudinal bars connecting two adjacent parts of two opposite posts with each other, subs-tam tially as shown and described.

3. In knockdown. furniture, a frame comprising a series of posts, each made in two parts hinged togetherlengthwise, longitudinal bars connecting two adjacent parts of two opposite posts with each other, and vertical bars connecting the horizontal bars of the sides or ends with each othertostrengthen the frame, substantially as shown and described.

4. In knockdown furniture, the combination, with a frame provided with posts, each made in two parts hinged together lengthwise, and bars connecting two adjacent parts of two opposite posts with each other, of shelves fitted between the said posts and adapted to rest on the said horizontal bars, substantially as shown and described.

5. In knockdown furniture, the combination, with a frame provided with posts, each made in two parts hinged together lengthwise,

of a top cover provided with apertures fitted on dowels formed on the said posts, substantially as shown and described.

6. In knockdown furniture, the combination, with a frame provided with posts, each made in two parts, and hinges for connecting the two parts of each post together lengthwise, of horizontal bars connecting the adjacent parts .of two opposite posts with each other, shelves fitted between the said pos-tsand resting on the said bars, and a top cover or shelf fitted on dowels of the said posts, substantially as shown and described.

HERMAN A. J. RIEOKERT. iVit-n esses:

'Inno. G. HOSTER, O. SEDGWICK: 

